Henry Castleberry/Heinerich Kesselberg

Henry Castleberry/Heinerich Kesselberg
Born about 1660 in Bachersdorf, Germany.
Emigration 1683

Henry Casselberry also known as Heinrich Kasselbery was probably born in Bachersdorf, Germany about 1660 where his father came from. He immigrated from Bachersdorf, Germany near Bruges (Bruggen) Germany to Germantown, Pennsylvania, landing there 05 October 1683.

Heinrich was an early settler of Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa. prior to 1691, when as cited in Pennypacker's History, "The Settlement of Germantown", he was recorded as having taken the first steps toward naturalization being listed as "Hendrick Kasselberg, a Mennonite; from Backersdorf, County of Bruggs", Germany, meaning probably, Bruggen near Crefeld in the low country of the Rhine.

On 07 March 1691, he made an attempt at Naturalization, which act was required before he could own land, being one of 62 applications. There arose a dispute concerning the legality of the procedure for Naturalization, whereupon, he and 25 others had to be re-naturalized on 29 September 1708.
SOURCE: "PENNSYLVANIA STATUTES AT LARGE", VOLUME II, Page 299.

Heinrich was finally naturalized in 1708 , listed as Henry Kessselberry (Pa. Archives Ser. 2 , Vol.7. Later that year he purchased a tract of land. Deed dated December 30, 1708, reads, Edward Farmer to Heinrich Kasselbery, of Germantown.

In the Last Will and Testament of Henry Casselberry date 16 August 1729, probated
04 September 1729, his wife Katherine and son, Dirick were executors. Children listed were: John, Paul, William, Eve Bassett, the wife of John Bassett, Elizabeth Davis, the wife of Mr. Davis, Mary C. Shrack, the wife of Philip Shrack. And daughter, Katherine.
Probate in Bucks Co. Pennsylvania.

In the Will of Catherine Casselberry, "widow of Henry", dated 03 March 1767, she named her granddaughter, Margaret Shrack, the daughter of "my daughter,"Mary, deceased, books, etc. To daughter Eve and daughter Elizabeth, and to the estate of my son, Dirick, to share personal property equally.
Executors: My grandson-in-law, Elisha Davis, and John Bull, Esquire.

MENNONITES/DUTCH QUAKERS

In 1683 William Penn invited the persecuted Mennonites to settle in Pennsylvania with the Quakers. Thirteen Mennonite families from Crefield, near the Netherlands border, settled in Germantown Pennsylvania. There they were know as Dutch Quakers, and until they built their own church in May 1708 they worshiped with the English Quakers.

Thirteen families from Crefeld, near the Netherlands border founded German town in 1683. Succeeding seasons brought additional settlers from that vicinity, and one was Heinrich Kesselberg. In 1692 his name, signed Heinrich Kesselberg, appears as a witness to the marriage of Henry Efrey and Anna Levering by Justice of the Peace, Francis Daniel Pastorius.
The next record is May, 1708 when his wife's name appears as Catherine Kasselberg on the list of members at the newly built Log Meeting House in Germantown. The meeting house was built by Mennonites who had previously worshiped with the Friends. Heinerich's name was spelled variously Hendrick Kasselberg, Henry Kessleberry, Henry Kestleberry, Henry Casselberry, and Henry Castleberry. Most frequently it is spelled Hendrick.
The Mennonites, known at Germantown as Dutch Quakers, were much the same doctrine and discipline as the Friends or English Quakers who invited the persecuted Mennonites to colonize in Pennsylvania.

Note: For an excellent article on Germantown, PA, by Betty Randall, see: